Mustachioventures: Jiufen

Monday, October 27, 2014

Jiufen

Jiufen is a small town on the mountains northeast of Taipei City. It is in the district of Ruifang, which is a part of New Taipei City (different from Taipei City) and is just 45 minutes to an hour from Taipei City.

How to go to Jiufen
(from Taipei City)

By Bus. From Zhongxiao Fuxing Station take Exit 1. Take bus route 1062 (Keelung Bus) to Jiufen. The ride is about an hour and the fare is about NT$100.

By Train and Bus. Go to the railway station near Taipei Main Station and take the train north to Ruifang Station. The train ride will take about an hour and will cost around NT$50. After exiting the Ruifang Station, cross the street to the bus stop next to the Wellcome Supermarket and board the Keelung Transit bus towards Jiufen. The bus ride will take about 15 minutes and will cost around NT$20.

By Taxi. Outside Zhongxiao Fuxing Station, where the bus stop for Keelung Bus route 1062 is, there will be taxis looking for passengers headed to Jiufen. They will charge NT$250 per person (if the taxi can accommodate five passengers, like a Sedan Wagon, try to haggle to NT$200). The taxi will be shared with other people. The drive will take about 45 minutes to an hour.

What to do in Jiufen

Blend in with the crowd in Jishan Street (aka Jiufen Old Street).

Check out the different shops and try the local snacks.

Clockwise from top left: sausages, pancake ice cream sandwiches,

grilled snails, and peanut ice cream rolls.

(I regret not trying the snails.)

Explore more of the town.

There are many alleys waiting to be discovered.

There are many teahouses in Jiufen.

Select one and have a drink.

We parked ourselves in Siidcha, which had a view of the Pacific Ocean and the sunset.

A minimum spend per person is required and drinks are quite expensive.

My toffee black milk tea cost me NT$180 (about Php 270).
If you plan to buy Siidcha tea products, ask if they can let you have a taste.
They let us have samples in mini paper cups that were slightly bigger than a thimble.
Their Matcha Green Milk Tea and Almond Oatmeal were really good.

Relax.